REgIOnaL ExPOnEnT fOR PROgREss

PNP in Bicol all set to enforce gun ban

LEGAZPI CITY -- Preparations are done and the regional police organization in Bicol is ready to enforce the election gun ban starting this coming Jan. 13.
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Aquino leads 116th Rizal Day rites

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the nation in commemorating the 116th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal in ceremonies held at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, Manila on Sunday. This years observance of Rizal Day coincided with the 100th year marking the transfer of Rizals mortal remains which were kept in his sister Narcisas house in Binondo, Manila to the National Heros monument in Luneta. The President, who arrived at 6:50 a.m., was welcomed by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Maria Serena Diokno. The President timed his arrival early in order to begin the flag-raising and wreathlaying ceremonies at the exact time Rizal was executed at 7:03 a.m. in 1896. Upon his arrival, the President was accorded full military honors with a 21-gun salute. He then proceeded to the flag-raising ceremony which was then promptly followed by the laying of a wreath of flowers at the foot of Rizals monument. The President, who was accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Jesse Dellosa and NHCP chair Diokno, saluted Rizals monument honoring the countrys national hero. Simultaneous with the flag-raising and wreath-laying activities were held in other Rizal shrines located in Calamba City, Laguna and Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Masbate bishop joins govt drive for peaceful polls

By DAnny o. CAllejA The church hierarchy in Masbate has aligned itself with the government campaign to ensure peaceful and honest 2013 elections in the province. Chief Supt. Jose Arne de los Santos, the regional director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for Bicol based at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola, Legazpi City said Masbate Bishop Jose Bantolo had recently called on Senior Supt. Heriberto Olitoquit, the Masbate provincial PNP director, signifying the intention of the local church hierarchy to join the campaign. This is a very positive development insofar as Masbate is concerned because the help of the religious sector is indeed important in thwart-

De los sAntos ing the possible outbreak of violence in that province in relation to the coming elections, De los Santos said. The local police official and church leader have already discussed the mechanics covering the partnership that includes the initiation of a peace covenant to be forged between
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RIZAL DAY CELEBRATION

RoBeRt ViAs /MAlACAnAng Photo BuReAu

President Benigno s. Aquino iii, assisted by Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of staff general jesse Dellosa and national historical Commission of the Philippines (nhCP) chairperson Dr. Maria serena Diokno, offers a wreath at the wreath-laying ceremonies in observance of the 116th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. jose Rizal on (sunday, December 30) at the Rizal national Monument, Rizal Park, Manila. the commemoration of Rizals martyrdom is also being held simultaneously at the Calamba Rizal shrine in laguna and at the Rizal shrine in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del noerte.

May the New Year bring you a bountiful harvest of blessings!

3/F, GERONIMO BLDG., BARLIN ST., NAGA CITY TELEFAX: (054) 475-62-62 e-mail: bikol_reporter@yahoo.com CP 0921-3183720 / 0919-2822901 / 0920-5337766

Bikol reporter

opinion

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

Bikol reporter

Christmas 2012 and new year 2013 Message

Go home with the gift of renewed faith, live and share it! Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (Lk 2:4-5) My dear brothers and sisters! The season of gifts is here once again Christmas! I know you have been receiving and giving gifts to each other, especially for the ones you love. But, what is the greatest gift that we receive and should give this Christmas? In this Year of Faith, we celebrate that our FAITH in Jesus is the GIFT for our JOURNEY in life. The heart of Christmas is that GOD, in his immense love for us, became man (Jn 1:14); He came to dwell among us, to be with us, Emmanuel. GOD has offered us the greatest gift of all JESUS, the love personified. More than any other gifts, parties, and reunions, the reason of Christmas is about celebrating our FAITH in JESUS being born and renewed. Now, HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THIS GIFT OF FAITH? In our Misa de Aguinaldo and Simbang Gabi, this gift of faith was slowly unwrapped or opened to us, particularly through the homilies of our priests. We were instructed, reminded, and challenged about the nature and significance of our CATHOLIC FAITH faith that knows God; faith that prays; faith that participates with the Church; faith with passion, not just for ones own needs, but passion for the betterment of society. So as we have unwrapped this gift, we could not close our eyes to the needs of our faithful. There are those, who, because of so much difficulties, have weakened in their faith; because of unanswered prayers, have lost their faith; and because of selfish mentalities, have strayed away from the faith. There are just so many needs needing the service of our Church. The question is: How do we respond to these needs? Where do we start? Look at the family of Jesus in the Gospel (Luke 2:1-14). Following the decree of the Roman Emperor, Joseph, belonging to the house and family of David, went home from Nazareth to Bethlehem, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. But time came for Mary to have her child. Since there was no room for them in the inn, they were accommodated by the shepherds. Mary wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes. As Luke emphasizes Jesus family going home, we, too, are asked to go back to our own homes and families. We have to attend to the needs and concerns of our own homes, of our origins, and in our own respective situations, so that, even if there is no room for us, with the humility and faith of the shepherds, we can still lead and serve them to accepting Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters, the Birth of Christ means transformation of life a new beginning, a new year of rediscovering, renewing and increasing our faith. And this should start and be rooted from our own homes, families, and communities. So, I urge you this Christmas: Go home with the gift of renewed faith; live and share it! With Ina, Our Lady of Peafrancia, I pray and greet all of you: A faithful Christmas and a grace-filled New Year ahead! May the Lord bless you all. RolAnDo j. tRiA tiRonA, o.C.D., D.D. Archbishop of Caceres

Prosperous New Year

(Atty. APA chairs Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International is PICPA past president and Hall-of-Famer, past chair of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Awardee). YEAR 2013: Things look brighter as Year 2012 closer, preparatory to the New Year. Our country is now approaching an Investment Grade rating which will signal inflow of more foreign investments. Let us pray that the new money will come in as direct investments, as contrasted with the hot money or speculative placements in stocks and bonds. The latter type can become headaches once funders decide to leave without any warning at all. We now have the Sin Tax law, expected to generate close to P40B in additional taxes for the first year of implementation. The mid-term election campaign will witness foreign exchange inflows from the candidates overseas supporters. All told more Forex will come in which might trigger the upgrading of the peso exchange. Instead of just buying dollars from the market to hold off peso exchange, monetary authorities should pre-terminate foreign Phl obligations. EXPORTS: Business projects at least 15% growth in exports in 2013. This good news will further improve the peso exchange value, to the disadvantage of the exporters themselves and our OFW beneficiaries. Among the advancing exports are those from furniture makers, but this business line is challenged by the higher cost of plantation wood (now P70/bdft). Electronic shipments will also increase as the world economy gradually

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Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN
recovers. Exports of marine and agricultural products were earlier targeted for increases, but the figures may have to be reviewed what with the adverse effects of Typhoon Pablo on banana and coconut harvests. The boasts of the Dept. of Agriculture that we may no longer import rice in Year 2013 will not happen, but our rice production has improved as palay lands were generally spared from weather adversities. Let us thank our Lord for these heavenly graces. INVESTMENTS: With the new approvals by the Board of Investments, total capital inflow will surpass P360 billion still short of the P400 billion target for this year, but higher than the 2011 aggregate. The figures would have been higher were it not for the problems which hounded mining and renewable energy projects. Aside from the mining constraints, the BOI has also implemented stricter evaluation processes in the grant of incentives.

Many local government units have resolved to ban open pit mining. The national government policies on mining are about to issued nex year to implement the new Mining Law and Executive Order #79. There are big mining projects to be started by globally known operators like Xstrata Plc and Indophil Resources N.L. but their proposals are objected to by local governments, religious organizations and NGOs opposed to their entries. POLITICS: The election fever despite the technical announcement that campaigning has not started is now here. We cannot but accept that the political developments happening around us are not politically motivated. Despite Malacanang hand-washing, the delayed implementation of the removal from office of the Lucena City mayor and lately, the Governor of Cebu Province are obviously timed for the 2013 election campaign. A close friend confided to me that in support of the anti-political dynasty campaign, he will not vote for candidates bearing the same surnames of known politicians. He said his senatorial list will not include Aquino, Angara, Binay, Enrile, and Ejercito. He is against members of the same family being together in the Senate (Cayetano, Enrile, Ejercito). But he recognizes the personal stature of candidate Cynthia Villar (Misis Negosyo). PROVERB: Guard your mouth and tongue, to save you from calamity. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

By MAnny P. solis

Poor families receive gifts from legazpi lgu

aldine B. Rosal and Vicemayor Vitoy Roces during a distribution activity at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation last Dec. 3. Rosal said that these giveaways were part of the Alay Pamilya Special Project of her

LEGAZPI CITYSome 710 poorest of the poor families from the 70 barangays of the city received food stuffs and Christmas gifts from Mayor Carmen Ger-

Legazpi firms to undergo waste disposal seminar

LEGAZPI CITY -Mayor Geraldine Rosal has recently ordered all owners and operators of business establishments here to first undergo a seminar on proper ecological waste disposal before they will be issued business permits. The seminar is for free and provided by the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO). Personal attendance and participation of business owners for single proprietorships and president, managers and/or pollution control officers for corporations are required. CENRO chief Salve Corral said the seminar that takes only about two hours to complete will provide the local business community orientations on the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) program being implemented by the city. This is to ensure that the local business community, the city biggest contributor in solid waste discharges is educated on the program and instructed how their participation could be harnessed towards the sustainable success in its implementation, Corral explained. The city administration wants everyone, from the business sector down to the grassroot level in the city to fully cooperate, appreciate and commit themselves on the proper and effective management of waste, particularly in the segregation and reduction at source processes, she said. After completing the seminar once each year, the CENRO issues a Certificate of Attendance which will form part of the documentary requirements for the issuance or renewal of business permits by the City Mayors Office, Corral said. At the barangay level, barangay captains are also under instruction to require business establishments to present the certificate of attendance as basis for the issuance of barangay clearances. The CENRO has started conducting the seminar last September and schedules have continued monthly for this year until December. It will resume in January and to go on monthly. For Mayor Rosal, the success of the implementation of our solid waste management program is a luminous sym-

administration to the poorest of the poor families in the city. The project is a yearly undertaking, which she said would continue even if she is stepping down as the citys chief executive next year given that her husband, former City Mayor Noel Rosal who will be her likely successor being unopposed in the coming May local elections is adopting it. She said, recipients of the goodies should not take it as food ration but a gift of love and sympathy from the city government for Christmas. We do not want you to be dependent on government dole outs. All we want is for you to strive very hard using your skills and good abilities to attain a more decent and prosperous life, she said. In the occasion, Vice Mayor Roces expressed his appreciation to the donations provided by some entities and individuals who made the gift-

Happy New Year and Aga Muhlachs Disqualification as voter Affirmed by Judge Noel D. Paulite
Happy New Year everyone! While we may have problems since we are not in a perfect world, we can thank God that we are alive and even luckier than others. We were not visited by a devastating typhoon like Pablo. We have our families. Our homes were not destroyed. We have the comforts of our homes and the amenities in the place where we are residing. It is natural among many of us to be complaining of many things like the heavy traffic, air and noise pollution from vehicles, the high cost of electricity, food, medicines, etc. I told my daughter that we should count our blessings to feel better and be happy. Naga City where we live is very much alive with many nice things to see and go to. It is peaceful. The image of Our Lady of Peafrancia, Our Ina, is here. Lets pray that the year 2013 will be better for everyone. *** Actor Aga Muhlach has only himself to blame for his disqualifaction as a voter and he should not blame others for this. It is the result of his own doing. The following is an excerpt from the 13-page decision of Judge Noel D. Paulite of the Regional Trial

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NENITA FuENTEBELLA-PEONES
Court, Branch 30, San Jose, Camarines Sur dated December 17, 2012 which is self-explanatory. To this Court, the reckoning period prescribed by COMELEC Resolution 9149 is two-fold. A prospective voter must already be 18, a one-year resident of the Philippines and a six-month resident of the area where he intends to vote if the applicant registers earlier than May 12, 2012. If one will be 18, or will become a one-year resident of the Philippines on the day of the elections or a six-month resident

of the locality on such date, the applicant must register not earlier than May 12, 2012. This proceeds from the last paragraph of Section 5 of COMELEC Resolution 9149. Thus, those who do not possess any of the requirements on the day of the registration but will possess such qualification can register only from May 13, 2012 up to the end of the registration period on October 31, 2012. the Respondent-Appellants clearly made their application for registration on March 19, 2012, or earlier than May 12, 2012. The reckoning period for residency at San Jose, Camarines Sur is therefore six (6) months prior to the date of registration. They must show that they have been residents of San Jose beginning September 2011. But as earlier found by the Court that Respondents can only be considered residents of San Juan, San Jose, Camarines Sur starting February 17, 2012. thus, exclusion of the Respondent-Appellants from the lists of Voters is proper for the
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bol of Legazpis identity as a strong, modern city that maintains healthful and environment- friendly communities. In championing ecological solid waste management, the city government had established a modern sanitary landfill and controlled dumpsite four years ago which since then has been considered as the most advanced ecological waste facility in the Philippines.

giving successful. Recipients of the gifts, according to City Social Welfare and Development Officer Marlene Manaya were identified from among the poorest families by the Chairmen in the citys barangays. From the list submitted by each barangay chairman, Manaya said her office selected 10 recipients to make 700 from all the citys 70 barangays. Former Mayor Noel Rosal, Liga ng mga Barangay Vice-

President Vince Baltazar, former City Councilor Lilibeth Muoz-Dimaculangan and Urban Poor Federation Chairman Jun de la Torre assisted in the distribution of the gifts. The donors and sponsors of the gift items were the city government of Legazpi, Vice Mayor Roces, City Accountant Joeben Ador, City Engr. Orlando Rebato, City DILG Dir Elmer Pecson, City Budget Officer Obelia Baldano, City Executive Assistant Santi Baltazar, Manaya, Crisol

Bautista, Oro Site Barangay Chairman and Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Federation President JP Lee. DSWD Regional Director Remia Tapispisan, City Councilor Elmo Inzon, City Public Safety Office Chief Menjo Ofracio, the City Agriculture Office, City Coun Vincent Baltazar III, Siony Calleja, Salve Corral, Christine Zantua, City Treasurer Carlita De Guzman, City Coun. Chito Ante, Engr. Joy Esplana and Ex-Barangay Chairman Julius Del Rasario.

sun Broadband Quests opens Battle of College Bands

band Entertainment Stick a revolutionary and first-of-itskind broadband product in the local market that lets users access the hippest tunes and download chart toppers from their favorite artists for free! To join Sun Broadband Quest, participating band must purchase a Sun Broadband Entertainment Stick, register online at www.sunbroaband.ph/bandquest and upload two videos one video recording an all-original song and one video recording a cover version of any song. Videos should not exceed 5 minutes. Top ten bands will be selected and receive professional coaching through a full-day workshop and oneone-one session with the top OPM bands and artists under MCA Music, Inc. Grand winner will be chosen by way of a big concert where all top ten bands will perform their alloriginal song and be judged by five music professionals based on originality, musicality and showmanship. Deadline of submission of entries is until January 15, 2013. So get your instruments ready and rise up to the music challenge! For more information, visit www.sunbroadband.ph/bandquest.

is there still goodness in mans heart?

Will people find room in their hearts for the poor and the other less fortunate human beings? This was the pressing question of Pope Benedict XVI when he celebrated Christmas eve with a mass at St Peters Basilica. Indeed, will those with more in life open their hearts to those with less? This is not easy to answer. With selfishness and apathy and greed taking possession of peoples hearts, the most likely answer is, however, no. If you still remember that night when Joseph and Mary looked for lodging in Bethlehem town and were turned down, you will have a fair idea of mans unappetizing character. That was pardonable. The reason of those who refused them a nights lodging was that their houses were full. Bethlehem was crowded with people from nearby towns and villages who were there to register. In that distant time, greed and apathy

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and selfishness were not as serious a human failing as today. There was really no place for Joseph and Mary in any of the houses. The couple, with Mary heavy with child, ended up at a stable in the company of cows and other farm animals. That was where Jesus was born, according to the Bible. From this impoverished beginning,

Jesus religious movement spread to every corner of the globe. In the Philippines, the Spanish friars brought Christianity to the heathen inhabitants who embraced the faith with ardor. But, there was seemingly something wrong, terribly wrong with how the friars compelled the natives to accept the Spanish God. The Spaniards treated the natives harshly. Not because they resisted but because the friars looked at them as inferior people. This could be the reason why Filipinos adopted the Christian faith but hated the intruders. The Spaniards did not practice the religion as preached by Jesus Christ. The friars, exemplified by Fray Botod, the cruel, cursing, womanizing Spanish priest, were as money hungry as the other Spanish officials. Some Filipinos must have learned many things from this character. He probably
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Calling all college and university bands! This is your chance to show off those killer riffs and rock the crowd with your high-octane performance at Sun Broadband Quest, a battle of broad music styles between college and university bands all over the country. Open to all unsigned and amateur college bands composed of 3 to 5 members between 16 to 25 years

old, Sun Broadband Quest is an opportunity for up-andcoming bands to showcase their talents, share their music and get noticed in the music scene. The winning band will get a staggering cool prize of P150,000 cash, record deal, guaranteed gigs plus their own music video! A project of Sun Broadband and MCA Music, Inc., the competition is powered by the all-new Sun Broad-

Bikol reporter

etcetera

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

Bikol reporter

pellMell
jokee BotoR-Reyes
Anti-Flu injection. gratis
They were a bunch of nurses doing some public service all in the name of health and wellness. How unusually wonderful. But I guess they were really meant to render service being nurses and thats how they were meant to be. What else are nurse expected to do but serve so unlike other professions. I understand they are with the city infirmary and they get out of the health office regularly to promote some medically accepted practices. That one afternoon at the Iriga City Hall, they were moving from one office to another giving free ant-flu injection. And I was a recipient. I had not had injection for a long time, a proof of my being healthy despite my age. I belong to that group of persons with dual citizenship (being a Filiipino citizen and a senior citizen. How corny of me.) But I think it is not easy reaching the age of 60 to qualify as a senior citizen. Some never reach that age. I thought they were just dispensing anti-flu injection to senior citizens like me (are senior citizens very susceptible to flu) but even shirlan C. Bonacua who is a very young man and obviously very healthy was himself given a dose of anti-flu injection. Well, thats just it. Very commendableand they were very pretty ladies. They compose the team of a new DOH program, RN Heals. Zarah o. tijam, jezzaline Arianne V. Abinal, jaena R. soler, and Roma M. Bueno. , Could sir Arcel salvadora be their superior? Just surmising. Some people hate injections. Or afraid of it? Because I was askedtakot ka ba sa injection? What a question? But I got the hunch that I was asked that question probably because if I answered positively, they wouldnt force me or I would not benefit from a free anti-flu injection. Does the dose mean I will be immune to flu, meaning I will never be sick with flu the rest of my life? At any rate, just resting on the thought that I am flu-free gives me the nice feeling that I have one medical tool in my system that will spare me the trouble of spending for medication. It is not easy seeking medical attention in this country of ours. It Is expensive. Thank you RN Heals People! Email jokeebotor_ reyes@yahoo.com

tours and travel in Focus

The World Travel and Tourism Council have made an announcement that at the close of the year 2012 worldwide tourism have reached an unprecedented record of 1 billion travelers. This means that one in the seven people all over the world have participated by way of traveling to various points of our planet. This development is quite a surprise in view of the fact that a few decades ago, traveling was the exclusive activity for the wealthy. This is no longer true for reasons that the upswing in world tours and travel range from the economic prosperity in countries where its people have experienced economic prosperity coupled with the fact that the world is now at peace compared to past decades when it was in turmoil. The World Travel and Tourism Council which is based in London has for its members Chief Executive Officers of travel companies. The council is at the forefront of gathering datas on travel and tourism which includes international airport traffic as well as collecting information on visa records worldwide. With these encouraging development on worldwide tourism, countries are now busy planning ahead of time on how best it could attract as many tourists to come and visit attractive natural and man-made wonders. The Philippines as an alternative destination for tourists is now preparing to realize its ambitious plan of making a name tourism wise with the planned construction of the countrys Expressway Project, an insfrastructure of the national government costing P15.5 billion which will link and provide connectivity to the three terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport including Entertainment City now being lined up for bidding under the Aquino administration. This flagship project of our South Luzon Expressway along Roxas and Macapagal Boulevard. Foreign investment be in it infrastructure, banking and finance, communication and business outsourcing had been the hallmark under the leadership of His Excellency President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III. This augurs well for our Tourism industry if we are to catch up with our ASEAN neighbors considering that recently the report released by the World Economic Tourism,shows that the Philippines is ranked seventh in terms of competitiveness as a tourist destination. This ranking makes our country ahead only of Cambodia and behind Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam. In terms of tourist arrivals there is even that possibility that Cambodia may soon overtake us. This is quite unfortunate for our country because as an archipelago it is blessed with white sand beaches and other natural attractions which can only be found in the Philippines. As a people, Filipinos are known to be hospitable, and fun loving. These are the reasons why tourists keep coming back and enjoy their stay in our country. Our people are the nations biggest assets. Our country have been getting bad reviews lately because of inadequate tourism infrastructure and safety concerns. With these issues at hand our government is really doing its share through the Department of Tourism by raising the profile of our nations tourist destinations. This marketing drive complimented by the recent investments being effected would surely catapult the Philippines to its rightful place as a tourist haven in all of the ASEAN Region.

Quinta leaves 6 Camsur towns flooded

By AnAliZA s. MACAtAngAy

the Bicol yuletide tradition

LEGAZPI CITY -- The Nativity or birth of Jesus Christ is reenacted during Christmas time in many rural areas in the Philippines, which usually involves dancing and singing. It goes by different names in various provinces, but is practiced more widely in the Bicol region as Pastores an annual music festival. One of the countrys century-old Christmas tradition, Pastores Bikol depicts the shepherds jubilation on the birth of the Christ Child. It features musical groups interpreting Pastores A Belen (Shepherds to Bethlehem), a Spanish poem composed by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal while on exile in Dapitan in the 1890s. It is performed by gaily dressed young boys and girls in colorfully decorated hats and arches who are accompanied by musicians. Introduced by Spanish priests in the late 1800s, Pastores has spread throughout Bicol and has become a part of the Yuletide observance in the region. Albay, one of Bicolandias centers of history and culture, a fusion of Spanish and Bicol motifs. The late National Artist Ramon Obusan, founder of the famed Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and a native of Camarines Norte, put choreography to the song to represent the Bicolanos jovial nature. Meanwhile, in Camarines Sur, dancing girls dressed in festive costumes, appear on Christmas Day up to the Feast of the Epiphany as a way of proclaiming glad tidings. It is followed by the Kagharong which reenacts the search of Joseph and Mary for a room to stay in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. In the 1970s, Legazpi City-based radio station Peoples Broadcasting Network (PBN- DZGB) revived the tradition by launching a contest among students and youths. Its role has become pivotal because it has made a dying tradition a household tune once more by saturating the airwaves with the Christmas melody. The Department of Tourism-Region V, the Albay provincial government and
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DR. MARILISSA j. AMPuAN

President, Bicol Association of Tourism and Hospitality Educators (BATHE)

government is a public, private partnership initiative. This would be the answer to the clamor of many travelers both domestic and foreign. In effect the completion of this infrastructure project would further boost our tourism industry thereby precipitating economic growth and the dispersion of development aside from the fact that travel time for the Skyway to NAIA Terminal will be reduced from 24 minutes to 8 minutes. This would provide comfort to the daily load of 80,000 travelers. We must take note of the fact that the Express way will start from Sales Street going to Andrews Avenue onwards to Domestic Road ending at Roxas Boulevard all the way towards Entertainment City. This proposed expressway project will provide fast and reliable access to NAIA terminals and Entertainment City. With the expected easing of traffic in the area, a foregone economics hub would soon rise boosting further the tourism potentials of our country. This will also serve as a link to

PILI, Camarines Sur -- Torrential rains brought by the northeast monsoon and tropical depression (TC) Quinta has left 31 barangays in six municipalities in the province of Camarines Sur flooded. The weather disturbance has also stranded 140 passengers in various ports in Camarines Sur. In the information released by the Camarines Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMS), rivers in barangays Timbang, Baliuag Viejo, Catanusan, and Ombao Polpog all in Bula, Camarines Sur overflowed. Some of the barangays in the municipalities of Nabua, Buhi, Bula, including Iriga City were not also spared from floods due to the continuous rains for the past two days.. The town of Nabua tops the municipalities on the number of flooded barangays which is 10. Bula comes next with seven barangays, Buhi with five barangays, and Iriga City with four flooded barangays. Of the 140 stranded passengers, 65 came from Pasacao Port. They were bound for San Pascual, Masbate. In Garchitorena and Lagonoy, North Coastal were 45 passengers who took their chance to wait at the Tamban Port but the seacraft to sail. The same with 30 passengers bound for Guijalo, Caramoan who were also waiting at the Sabang Port. Amidst continuous rains, local DRRMCS remained vigilant on a 24/7 watch to update local disaster units, especially the barangays. The Camarines Sur Operation Center regularly sent weather bulletins and advisories. Members of the tri media were also furnished copies, including response teams and PDRRMC member agencies.

PAstoRes Bikol has become the home of the Pastores because it is popularly practiced here. Nearly all towns, from the capital city of Legazpi to the remote municipalities, have their own version of this age-old tradition. There are variations in the Pastores Bikol across the region because of diverse influences, indigenous traditions and ethno-linguistic differences. In some renditions, carols sung in the vernacular are integrated, thus providing

Management styles of some school heads in the Remote Areas of Partido District, Cam. sur
By eDMunDo B. AlADAno
secondary school Principal tawog national high school Caramoan, Camarines sur

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Management is supposed to be innate to man. Man manages himself. He manages his family and relatives. In a larger scale, he manages a community and in a much more larger scale, a nation. If he is a teacher, he is given the opportunity to manage a school and this includes teachers, children, parents and the community where the school is located. More importantly, the school that he heads. A school head has to consider several factors in managing a school. First to consider is the location of the school that he has to manage. This is very crucial and very challenging. The school head assigned in a remote area will necessarily has to understand the culture of that particular place. What are the modes of living of the great majority of people in the area? What are their main source of livelihood? What is the dominant religious beliefs of the residents in the community? Is the area commercialized? How many percent of the residents are schooled in the tertiary level? Since these questions could hardly be answered by direct questioning because it could be adverse to the community, the teacher can do find out casually in his day to day encounter with parents, their children and the leaders of the community. The teacher is a very respectable person in the remote areas. He is recognized not only as the teacher of the children in school but he is also everyones confidant. He is looked upon as knowledgeable in many matters so that he is considered an authority and therefore looked upon with respect. This is something that calls for a management that must be able to answer the need, the demand and the want of the place. The teacher must maintain a harmonious relation with the people in the community in the same manner that he practices this rapport among his teachers. This is management in the most practical sense of the word. This is also labeled as management by example. This should work out with practically all the sectors in the area, with the parents, his subordinates in the school and the children who will look upon him as a model, a good example, someone to inspire and be worthy of emulation.. In his direct area of responsibility which is the school, the head must be a manager of trust, fair play and confidence. He must now obviously be perceived as one not favoring someone over another, and a colatilla to this, is his never forgetting to recognize the achievements and good works of his
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Bikol reporter

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

Bikol reporter

Csu bags top plums in college press contest

By eDnA A. BAgADiong VIRAC, Catanduanes -- Catanduanes State University (CSU) tertiary student journalists, including their campus publications, bagged 27 individual and group awards in the 13th Region V Tertiary Schools Press Conference conducted by the Bicol Association of Tertiary Publication Advisers and Commission on Higher Education Region 5 on Dec. 7-9 in Legazpi City. Senior editors from The CSU Statesman, the official tertiary student publication of Catanduanes State University, which garnered top awards were Abygale A. Bagadiong, first place, News writing English; Marian Claire V. Tulod, first place, Opinion Writing Filipino; Dave S. Tolentino, third place, Editorial Writing, Filipino; Paul John Padilla, third place, Sports Writing English; Karen Ailene Benavidez, third place, Opinion Writing English; Dave S. Tolentino, third place, Feature Writing Filipino; Jerard Paul V. Tulod, fourth place, Sports Writing Filipino; Dave S. Tolentino, fourth place, Poetry Writing Filipino. In the group competition, the SY 2012-2013 second semester issue of The CSU Statesman was declared Overall Best Publication, Newsletter Category, as well as first place in News Page, first place in Page Design, first place in DevCom Page and first place in Opinion Page. Moreover The CSU Statesman Intramurals Issue was declared first place in Sports Page, second place in Page Design, second place, Features/Literary Page, third place in DevCom Page, and fourth place in Editorial/ Opinion Page for tabloid category. Now on its sixth year of grand slam winning, Abacatanduanes: Ikaanim na Paghahabi, the CSU Statesman Literary Folio was adjudged
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Dot welcomes koreas one millionth visitor

With less than a week before the year ends, the countrys tourism industry clinches a significant milestone as it welcomed yesterday its one millionth Korean visitor. The Department of Tourism (DOT) partnered with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in marking this major feat for Philippine tourism at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal II. Selected randomly among passengers aboard PAL flight PR467 that arrived on Dec. 27 at 11:45 A.M. in Manila from Seoul, Mr. Kook Nam Han was the one millionth Korean visitor for 2012. Immigration Officer Ernest Michael Aure rang the bell at his counter upon receiving the travel documents of Han. Music from the Banda Kawayan of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines consequently drumbeat the exciting news. The 37-year old businessman from Seoul, South Korea has been a frequent visitor in the country since 1995, while his wife and other family members are already based here. In an interview, he expressed, in all candor, his

Yearender Bicol anti-drug drive nets P3.2M worth of drugs, 252 suspects
By AlFReDo l. VARgAs jR. LEGAZPI CITY---Not less than P 3.2-million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and Marijuana were seized and 252 persons arrested in the joint efforts of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol to curb supply and demand of illegal drugs in the region from January until December this year. These were offshoots of the 192 operations conducted; buy-bust, entrapment, service of search and arrest warrants, and interdictions at sea ports and bus terminals in Bicol mainland. Ninety three of them were PDEAs, 20 were PNP-led and 79 were jointly done by the two law enforcement agencies, PDEA 2012 yearend report revealed. PDEA operations netted 129 suspects and 20.25 grams of marijuana and 451.21 grams of shabu with combined Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value of P2.72 million. The agencys feat this year is way above last years arrest of 82 suspects and seizure of drugs with a total street value of P2.1 million. This years joint operations resulted to the arrest of 98 suspects and seizure of 577.83 grams of marijuana and 68.94 grams of shabu with a DDB value of P 452,000 while PNP arrested a total of 20 suspects and seized 3.3 grams of shabu. Among those arrested and charged in court without bail is one of the two suspects listed as national targets, three minor males who were subsequently turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for custody, and 29 are females. PDEA Bicol Director Archie Grande admitted his mens difficulty to arrest the other national target who has armed bodyguards, and he does not carry drugs so we cant easily entrap him. The prosecution-oriented documentation, custody and presentation of pieces of evidence by the law enforcers have prevented all suspects from posting bail. On preventive education and community involvement activities at least 586 lectures and seminars were conducted, film showing 567, tri-media activities 396, signing of memorandum of agreements with government and private partners 70, civic actions 50, and conferences and meetings 25. The continuing strong coordination with drug abuse councils in municipalities (MADAC), cities (CADAC) and barangays (BADAC) resulted to voluntary admission of drug use by at least 19 persons who were subsequently referred to and admitted at the drug rehabilitation center in Malinao, Albay. The province of Camarines Sur has been consistent since last year having the most number of drug-influenced and threatened barangays at 196, followed by Camarines Norte 87, Albay 86 and Sorsogon 64.

ITs MORE fuN IN PH

nestoR DioniDo, Dot

Mr. Kook Nam Han, the countrys one millionth Korean visitor, flanked by DOT officials (L-R) Assistant secretary Benito C. Bengzon, jr., usec. Daniel g. Corpuz, Asst. sec. Rolando Canizal and tourism Attache to korea Maricon ebron.

gratitude for this wonderful surprise. But it was Han who actually amazed everyone when he greeted Maayong Hapon or Good Afternoon in the Visayan language. He, in fact, studied Theology at the Adventist University in Bacolod back in 1995 and has made many Filipino friends ever since. When asked about what brings Koreans to the Philippines, Han candidly responded, Its the people who are

smiling all the time. Filipinos do not hurry and are more laidback, and they definitely know how to enjoy life. I feel so much at home here, I consider this as my second home. The DOT, Philippine Airlines, EDSA Shangri-la, and Shangri-la Mactan guaranteed Han a pleasant stay in the country this holiday season, gifting him with a local tour package to a destination of his choice complete with round-

trip business class tickets and hotel accommodation, among other complimentary tokens. Tourism Undersecretary Daniel G. Corpuz underscored the importance of the event as South Korea is the first source market to hit the one million mark this year. According to Corpuz, Korea remains the largest source of inbound tourists to the Philippines. Culled from the latest DOT passenger exit survey,
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dot welcoMes . . .
the usual purpose of visit for Koreans is for holidays, followed by business and studies/ education. The average length of stay is six days, and the preferred destinations include Bohol, Boracay, and Cebu. Koreans are big spenders, pulling out an average of US$126 a day with a big chunk spent on shopping and sightseeing. Majority are also repeat visitors, and almost fifty percent have friends or relatives in the Philippines who most likely serve as the main sources of information on destinations to visit or activities to do. Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon, Jr. remarked that the DOT will not stop at one million tourist arrivals from Korea. We are confident that the country will hit the two million Korean tourist arrival mark by 2016. The tourism and service sectors stand at the forefront of this boom. We will continue to step up our tourism marketing and promotions in Korea and in other market sources, Assistant Secretary Bengzon further stated. The new tourism campaign which the DOT rolled out early this year has already started to yield positive outcomes for the country, including todays milestone. In our aim to drive in more foreign tourists to visit the country, we must also gear up for our topmost and crucial job for 2013 and the years ahead. That is market development. To realize this goal, we will tap into non-traditional markets, expanding the potential for new users, new geographic to new demographic segments, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez enthused. What drives tourism today is the countrys unique offering. What else, but the Filipino people -- our distinct hospitality, renewed confidence, and hope for a better Philippines, Secretary Jimenez positively concluded. Also present during the awarding rites were BI Commissioner Ricardo David, MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado, NAIA Terminal II Manager Cecilio Bobila, and other DOT officials.

unePs Frontliners grab prizes during tertiary presscon

Proving that they are worthy to be called FRONTLINERS, writers from the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) official publication gave their opponent an equally competitive match when they grabbed most of the prizes during the recently concluded 13th Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference held from December 7 to 9 at Oriental Hotel, Legaspi City. For a start, UNEPs FRONTLINE publication received various honors under the Magazine category: 4th Runner up both as Best Magazine and Best Magazine Page Design category and 3rd Runner up Best in DevCom Page. Kevin Delos Santos and Jerome Berina both leisurely took their places as 1st Prize winners in the Photojourn and Literary Graphics (English) categories respectively. Raymond T. Toralde went home with two (2) prizes when he got the 3rd place in the Newswriting English Category and 5thplace in the Copyreading / Headline Writing in Filipino category. Sande C. Nacario landed 5th during the Editorial Cartooning (Filipino) competition. All of them will be joining other journ students and writers coming from various schools and universities during the 12thLuzonwide Higher Education Press Conference slated February 12 to 14, 2013 at the Oriental Hotel in Legazpi City . Aside from the FRONTLINERs writers, Cadet Clinton B. Espallardo bring home the bacon when he snatched the top plum during the 13th ROTC Speech Contest 2012 held at the 502nd Community Defense Center, 5th Regional Community Defense Group ARESCOM at Camp Weene Martillana, Pili, Camarines Sur. Coaches Evelyn O. Ibias and Josefina T. Oco were both elated with the result, knowing too well that Espallardo did his best to win the contest. Trainer/ writer Dr. Regina A. Gonzales, who is also the adviser/ moderator of Frontliner writers, congratulated the competing students for the job well done.

health secretary enrique t. ona, together with the ecowaste Coalition, led the call for the use of alternative, emission-free noisemakers in ushering the new year at the liwasang Balagtas in Pandacan, Manila. ona stressed that, according to Doh statistics, children below 10 years old are the usual victims of fireworks/firecrackers. Ecowaste Coalitions activity dubbed as Iwas Paputoxic is in support of the Department of healths Aksyon: Paputok injury Reduction (APiR) program to promote public health and safety against the many hazards posed by the use of pyrotechnic devices. Also present during the event were health undersecretary teodoro herbosa, health Assistant secretary eric tayag, and national Capital Region Director eduardo janairo, Manila Mayor Alfredo lim, and other DOH officials. (27 December 2012, Pandacan, Manila)

EMIssION-fREE

A Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year to all!

the Men & women of sipocot Municipal Police station sipocot, Camarines sur

Seasons Greetings!
from -

P/CinsP DAViD D. Reyes

Officer-in-Charge

3N BAKERY
(the siopao Center) naga City

Bikol reporter

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

pnp in Bicol all set . . .
We have already completed our preparations and now ready for its implementation within the five-month election period starting Jan. 13 until June 12, 2013, Bicol Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director C/Supt. Jose Arne de los Santos said. De los Santos said the preparations involved among others, the orientation of all officers in command of the various operational police units in the region on the provisions of the revised total gun ban rule that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued for the May 2013 midterm elections. We made it clear the ban prohibits not only the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons but also the use of armored vehicles, unauthorized wearing of police or military uniforms and bearing arms, employment of security personnel and bodyguards and organization or maintenance of strike forces, reaction forces or other similar forces, he said. Also involved in the preparations were refresher courses on the rules of engagement, strategic planning for the conduct of checkpoints, determination of possible areas of immediate concern or hot spots and identification of gun ban-exempted groups of law enforcers and security personnel, he said. In the conduct of checkpoints in relation to the gun ban, De los stressed that each municipal and city police stations are mandated to establish at least one that shall be called the Comelec Checkpoint and situated only in places which are well-lit. Additional checkpoints however, may be established at the discretion of the local chiefs of police. We also reoriented all chiefs of municipal police offices and other units on the proper conduct of searches, manner of arresting gun ban violators, handling and safekeeping of confiscated firearms, investigations, prosecution and filing of appropriate charges in court, the PNP regional chief said. We are going to maximize the authority given to us by the Comelec in enforcing the gun ban especially in our efforts to recover the about 30,000 loose firearms in Bicol, he said. At present, according to De los Santos, the number of unregistered guns in the regions six provinces is 29,975 and the problem is that we do not have a concrete idea as to who are keeping them now and where exactly these firearms are. Based on the regional PNP records, Camarines Sur had a total of 11,412 unregistered firearms, the biggest compared to the other five provinces in the region. Albay came next with 7,829, followed by Masbate with 4,403; Camarines Norte with 2,860; Sorsogon with 2,777; and Catanduanes with 694. PAwnshoP

Bikol reporter

Aids for tabaco slums

TABACO CITY -- Tabaco Mayor Krisel Luistro said her city has been chosen as one of the 16 cities nationwide and the only one in the Bicol region to receive aid from the national government to mitigate poverty and hunger among the poorest communities in the country. The government intervention is called the Millennium Development Goals- Family Action Based for Children in their Environs of the Slums (MDG-FACES). Luistro said MDG-FACES engages the participation of selected families in the slums to find solutions, projects and sustainability measures that will address in shortage and problems in environment, food or health directly affecting the quality of life of children. Being undertaken through the support of the United Nations Center for Human Settlements (UN Habitat), the projects lead implementing agency is the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). We have already identified a pilot barangay for this project that has been granted a financial grant of P300,000 in initial capital for a demo project of its choice, Luistro said. The demo project initially identified is the strengthening of the local production of seaweed and processing it into noodles and other food supplement products as entrepreneurial initiatives to augment income of beneficiaries. Seaweeds farming is a family work and can be a part-time job for three in the family that brings in income between P15,000 to P30,000 monthly, she said. The city is gifted with coastal waters that are suited

to commercial production of seaweed species for semiprocessed product called carrageenan which has made the Philippines one of its worlds biggest producers. To date, the export market for Philippine seaweed is very strong, with demand in China leading the way. In preparation for the fullblast implementation of the slums MDG-FACES project, Luistro said she had tapped the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Albay provincial office in providing capacity trainings on business operations for the slum families involved in the project. The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has also initiated values re-orientation and family development session and seminar on food safety and good manufacturing practices to assist the women on their business, Luistro added.

fOOD PRODuCERs CONvENTION

Agriculture secretary Proceso j. Alcala encourages the members of the various irrigators group to come together and build a national network to establish a stronger sector towards the attainment of the goals of the governments Food Staples Sufficiency Program during the 2-day National Convention Food staples Producers held at the Manila hotel on December 12 13, 2012.

csu Bags . . .
Overall Best Publication, Literary Folio Category, including first place in Literary Content, first place in Overall Concept, first place in Cover Design, and second place in Graphics Illustration. The editors and staff writers who steered the three winning publications of the CSU Statesman were Karen Ailene P. Benavidez, Dave S. Tolentino, Abygale A. Bagadiong, Christine May P. Petajen, Marian Claire V. Tulod, Jerard Paul V. Tulod, Paul John C. Padilla, John Ely B. Templonuevo, Cyril Patrice O. Bernardino, Bren Garette Z. Rivera, John Kurt O. Vallez, Jordan T. Ignacio, Howell T. Cilot, Ma. Theresa Q. Dela Rosa,Crisanta P. Benitez, Dyan Camille L. Quintal, German T. Tejada Jr., Kathleen M. Arcilla, Kyle Rochelle B. Teves, Jessica Paola M. Aquino, Charisse L. Faeldonea, Jan Keith A. Abundo, Carmela Mae M. Brojan, Jessa T. Sebastian, Cherry Mae D. Villamartin and Gerry S. Rubio, technical publication adviser. Meanwhile, the editors of Heringgilya, the official student publication of College of Health Sciences likewise scored five major awardsfirst place, Poetry Writing English, Angelica Z. Terrazola; fifth place, News Writing English - Kyle Rochelle B. Teves; fifth place, Devcom Writing Filipino Chille Marlyn T. Vargas, and fifth Place, Editorial Writing English - Chille Marlyn T. Vargas. More than 200 student writers from some 30 government and private, colleges and universities, and community colleges in the region participated in the annual competition. The top five winners in each individual writing category will represent Region 5 in the Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference in February 2013. The publications will also be competing in the group category.

FroM MY window . . .
petitioners have proven the same. wheReFoRe, premises considered, the appealed Decision dated October 25, 2012 eXCluDing ARIEL AQUINO MUHLACH and CHARLENE MAE BONNIN MUHLACH from the List of Voters or Precinct No. 10A Barangay San Juan, San Jose, Camarines Sur, is hereby AFFiRMeD and the Instant Appeal is accordingly DisMisseD for utter lack of merit. The election Registration Board is ordered to eXCluDe the names of the private respondents from the List of Voters of Precinct No. 10A Barangay San Juan, San Jose, Camarines Sur and ReMoVe their Registration Records from the corresponding Book of Voters, and finally, to enteR the Order of Exclusion therein; and thereafter, to PlACe the Records in the inACtiVe File, for lack of residency requirement. SO ORDERED. Given this 17 th day of December 2012, at San Jose, Camarines Sur, Philippines. (sgd.) noel D. PAulite Presiding Judge

PHILIPPINE CuRRENCY AND COuNTERfEIT AwARENEss sEMINAR

The Sorsogon Police Provincial Office under the stewardship of PssuPt john CA jAMBoRA conducted Philippine Currency and Counterfeit Awareness seminar held at Conference hall, Camp salvador C. escudero sr., sorsogon City on December 6, 2012. the activity aims to educate sorsogon PnP personnel in determining whether the Phillippine currency is fake or genuine. Mrs. Cynthia s. Ariola and Mr. silvestre M. Bernaldez jr., representatives from Bangko sentral ng

PnP BiCol

MasBate Bishop joins . . .

warring political camps in the province, he said. Bishop Bartolo also committed to the local PNP that he will mobilize priests, other church leaders and the social arm of the diocese under his stewardship to initiate a massive voters education drive to awaken the electorate on their duties and responsibilities toward a peaceful and just conduct of the elections in the province. The church would also remind voters against participating in any politically-motivated violent undertaking, according to De los Santos. The Masbate provincial police organization including the Police Regional Special Operations Task Group under the command of Senior Supt. Arnold Albis, on the other hand, will continue its intensified campaign to disarm and disband private armed groups (PAGs) suspected employed by certain politicians in the province. These PAGs are notorious criminals hired to ensure the victory of their employers in the coming polls through violent means, De los Santos said. There are at least six PAGs reported in Masbate and two of them have been identified as the Arizobal and Villaruel groups that are composed of about 50 armed goons suspected hired by local political warlords. Apart from these two groups, the Masbate PNP provincial office is also monitoring the organization of four more groups. We are employing the fullest of our authority and resources to disband them and prevent the disruption of the peaceful, honest and orderly conduct of the May 2013 elections, De Los Santos said. Since Masbate is considered one of the areas in the country listed as hotspots, a police Regional Special Operations Task Group has been deployed to focus on the implementation of the PNPs SAFE (Secure And Fair Elections) 2013 including going after loose firearms and fugitive criminals in the province. At present, incumbent governor Rizalina SeachonLanete, who is running for her first reelection, and 2nd District Representative Antonio Kho are in a heated rivalry for the provinces top post. Kho, who is finishing his nine-year term as congressman next year, is fighting to maintain his clout in the local political circle acquired amidst a series of political murders that victimized key members of the once powerful Espinosa clan. Governor Lanete rose to power after defeating in the 2010 elections then governor Elisa Kho, the congressmans wife. Lanetes elder brother, former 3rd district congressman Fausto Seachon, was killed shortly after that elections.

Pilipinas, legazpi Branch served as the lecturers in the said activity. they discussed the characteristics of genuine new Philippine peso bills and coins. According to them, they contain embossed prints like the words REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS and are rough when touched. The said activity was attended by personnel from PhQ, sorsogon Provincial Public safety Company, sorsogon City Police station and different Municipal Police stations in the province.

alBaY keeps Zero casualtY . . .

zero casualty was achieved, the governor stressed. Salceda said they insisted on the continuous reiteration and implementation of typhoon advisories: no crossing, no sailing, avoid low lying areas, and preparation for evacuation of families living in identified flood prone areas, despite Pagasas lifting of the storm signal. Evacuation was carried out mainly through local initiatives of town and barangay officials. The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office responded only to specific requests for assistance, particularly in rescuing residents trapped by floods in Legazpi City and in Polangui town. The governor himself monitored the events, continuously posting updates and his advisories on his Facebook account and through calls and text messages to media outlets and barangay officials throughout Wednesday night, which he said was tantamount to a full press briefing. Evacuated were 585 families or 3,042 persons from 16 villages of Polangui town; 455 families or 2.366 persons from Malinao; 403 families or 2,096 persons from Camalig; 565 families or 2,938 persons from Bacacay; and 505 families or 2625 persons from Jovellar which were all inundated. JOHNNY NUEZ

the Bicol Yuletide tradition . . .

the Legazpi City government later joined the efforts to preserve the tradition, thus making it a much sought-after event come Yuletide season. This age-old practice comes alive once more with the Pastores Bikol music festival set on Dec. 12 at the Pearanda Park in Legazpi City. Various Pastores contingents from the towns and cities of Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Camarines Norte and the host province of Albay, which is also celebrating the Karangahan Christmas Festival. DOT Regional Director Maria Ravanilla said that with the peoples participation, this folk tradition will be passed on to succeeding generations and live in the hearts of Bicolanos.

a question oF . . .
became their role model. Today, money is all that matters to most Filipinos. Their God takes a backseat. And because money is all that occupies their minds, how they can earn millions overnight the more important things in life, these they shelved along with their God The Pope has seen this human fault as mans greatest failing. Many have completely forgotten why God has given him dominion over the earth. But he is there not to enjoy the fruits alone. He is there to enjoy them with those not blessed with material things. Selfishness and greed are supposed to have no place in his heart. But what is he doing? Allocate unto himself everything, leaving nothing to those who need it most. You wont fail to see this in this country. Out of over l00 million Filipinos today, probably less than l0 per cent owns 90 per cent of the countrys wealth. The 90 per cent of our people owns only l0 per cent. This is true in Legazpi City. The countless poor live in squatter areas. The very few rich live in plush subdivisions. This is the most appalling sharing of the countrys wealth. Very few of the countless millions own almost the whole country. The many poor owns virtually nothing. Will this lopsided arrangement change? I do not think so. The poor are chained to their poverty. The rich, well, the rich continue to enjoy what in Gods law is not rightfully theirs. If by Gods grace, their hearts soften, they can brighten many peoples lives. The Pope probably will be very happy at their transformation. The Bible says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven. Listen to this Bible story. A rich man approached Jesus, asking Him how he could join as His disciple. Jesus answer was direct and simple. He told the rich man to give away his riches. The man did not show himself to the Master. Jesus did not welcome the greedy rich. He still does not today.

Bulalacao street, san Pascual, Buhi, Cam. sur

PILgEM

WEEKLY REFLECTION

notice is hereby given that all pawned items for the month of August 2012 which were not redeemed will be auctioned on jAnuARy 12, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. Bikol RePoRteR Published: DeCeMBeR 30, 2012

AuCTION sALE

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

nAMe oF DeCeAseD sAlVADoR B. FeRnAnDo MAlBe R. tADuRAn enRiQue h. CADACio AQuilino DC. Rios jR tRiniDAD s. tAlAy hoMeR j. RelAtiVo sR. eVelyn A. FeBRes DeMetRio B. BRoFAs jR DulCe sj. unDeCiMo AleX C. neRo noRMA j. PARCo ADelinA M. CAPRiCho wAlFRiDo P. DAViD lyDiA R. sAyno AMADo R. stA.RosA MelinA B. DiAZ GLORIA A. SANDICO

DAte oF inteRMent December 1, 2012 December 2, 2012 December 1, 2012 December 1, 2012 December 6, 2012 December 8, 2012 December 11, 2012 December 9, 2012 December 11, 2012 December 11, 2012 December 15, 2012 December 19, 2012 December 21, 2012 December 20, 2012 December 24, 2012 December 23, 2012 December 27, 2012

ManageMent stYles . . .
subordinates as well as his pupils, no matter how young they are. When I contend that the school head must be a manager by trust, he must maintain that trustworthiness relation with his teachers. This means that he could hold in strict confidence matters that are rated confidential. This will generate good will which will redound to the progress not only of the school but the whole community. Management is a very practical field which needs only a lot of common sense which does not need a doctorate degree for a man to understand what is right and what is wrong, to know when to speak up and when to be silent, to know when to say yes and when to say no. It takes a management style that is truly functional to put a school head in an area no matter how remote, to put things in their proper perspective and at the end of the say, the words to be said is alls well that ends well.

10

Albay keeps Zero Casualty vs unexpected Quinta flashfloods

dec. 30, 2012 - jan. 5, 2013

LEGAZPI CITY Many Albayanos could not still believe their good luck after they emerged unscathed from the treacherous torrential rains that triggered landslides and flashfloods which submerged their communities last week in the wake of Typhoon Quinta. The torrential rains poured just when PAGASA lifted its typhoon signal number one from their province. The flashfloods compelled Albay authorities to evacuate 2,513 families out of harms way, resulting in another Zero Casualty record for the province. Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda said they kept their Zero Casualty record through continuous public warning, hazards monitoring and preemptive evacuation initiated by communities themselves. The governor has pioneered the Zero Casualty goal and preemptive evacuation during disasters, which are now widely adopted disaster risk reduction strategies. Rainfall reached a peak of 19.8 mm within seven hours of continuous torrential bursts, or an accumulated 138.3 mm heaviest towards the morning of Thursday. Paradoxically, the torrents came after storm warning # 1 had already been lifted by Pagasa and people thought the typhoon was over. Salceda said the climate had become so volatile. We made continuous updating, which served us well when the rains came in torrentially and unremittingly, just when Quinta was supposed to have gone away, he added. The result was that our people were well-informed of the possible scenarios and were not surprised when the unexpected torrents happened. They cooperated smoothly when our local leaders decided they need to evacuate. Thus,
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